Brick Awards Contract to Demolish First Home Under Property Maintenance Law

A home on South Beverly Drive in Brick, exposed to the elements. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

After previously rejecting bids deemed too high, the Brick Township council on Tuesday night voted in favor of awarding a contract for the demolition of a home on South Beverly Drive.

The long-abandoned home, currently in foreclosure, at 26 South Beverly will be the first in town to be demolished under a property maintenance law put in place under the administration of Mayor John Ducey. After complaints from neighbors that abandoned homes in extreme disrepair were lingering for years, the mayor and council took advantage of a state law that allows for the creation of a property maintenance board which can order demolitions, if necessary.

“This thing is an eyesore, it has mold all over it, and if you look through the windows it’s full of black mold,” Ducey said following the vote. “Finally, the residents are going to get some relief.”

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The roof of the house has multiple holes in it, its foundation is damaged and an infinity pool in the backyard is on the verge of caving in. The home has also been inhabited by raccoons and other animals for years.

A home on South Beverly Drive in Brick, exposed to the elements. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

After previously rejecting two rounds of bids that came back over $100,000 to demolish the structure, officials negotiated a price of $87,600. The price is higher than most demolitions due to the location of the home on a steep bluff overlooking the Manasquan River, Ducey said.

Brick, he said, learned recently that the state would loan the township $300,000 at zero interest to fund demolitions.

According to township Business Administrator Joanne Bergin, the cost of the demolition will be added as a lien on the property so the township can be reimbursed when the foreclosure is completed and the property is sold. The property owners – who have been vacant for nearly a decade – and the bank will have a chance “to be heard” one more time once the demolition date is set, Bergin said.